USA > Ohio > Defiance County > History of Defiance County, Ohio. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, etc.; military record; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; farm views, personal reminiscences, etc > Part 15
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August 3, 1794. -- An accident took place this day by a tree falling on the Commander-in-chief and nearly putting an end to liis existence; we expected to be detained here some time in consequence of it, but fortunately he is not so much hurt as to prevent him from riding at a slow pace.
No appearance of the enemy to-day, and think they are preparing for a warm attack. The weather very hot and dry, without any appearance of rain.
Camp thirty-one miles in advance of Fort Recov- ery, 4th August, 1794 .- The aforesaid garrison be- ing completed, Lieut. Uuderhill, with 100 men, left to protect it; departed at 6 o'clock and arrived here at 3 o'clock, being ten miles. The land we marched through is rich and well timbered, but the water scarce and bad; obliged to dig holes in boggy places and let it settle.
Camp forty-four miles in advance of Fort Recov- ery, 5th August, 1794 .-- We arrived at this place at 4 o'clock, nothing particular occurring. The land and water as above described; had some rain to-day.
Camp fifty-six miles from Fort Recovery, 6th Au- gust, 1794 .- Encamped on this ground at 2 o'clock. In the course of our march, perceived the track of twenty Indians. I am informed we are within six miles of one of their towns on the Oglaize River, sup- posed to be the Upper Delaware town. If so, I ex- pect to eat green corn to-morrow.
Our marchi this day has been through an exceed- ing fine country; the water still bad; the day cooler than heretofore.
Camp sixty-eight miles from Fort Recovery, 7th August, 1794. - This day passed the upper town on the Oglaize, which the Indians evacuated some time ago. I expect to see one of their new towns, where I am told there are all sorts of vegetables, which will be very acceptable to the troops. We have had no ap- pearance of Indians to-day.
Camp Grand Oglaize, 8th August, 1794 .- Pro- ceeded on our march to this place at 5 o'clock this morning, and arrived here at the confluence of the Miami and Oglaize Rivers at half-past 10, being sev- enty- seven miles from Fort Recovery. This place far excels in beauty any of the Western country, and be- lieved equaled by none in the Atlantic States. Here are vegetables of every kind in abundance, and we have marched four or five miles in corn-fields down the Oglaize, and there is not less than one thousand acres of corn around the town. The land in general of the fir nature.
This country appears well adapted for the enjoy- ment of industrious people, who caunot avoid living in as great luxury as in any other place throughout
the States, nature having lent a most bountiful hand in the arrangement of the position, that a man can send the produce to market in his own boat. The land level and river navigable not more than sixty miles from the lake. The British have built a large garrison about fifty miles from this place, and our spies inform us that the enemy are encamped about two miles above it on the river.
Grand Oglaize, 9th August, 1794. - We remain here. The Commander-in-Chief has ordered a gar- rison to be erected at the confluence of the Miami and Oglaize Rivers, which was begun this morning, and will take up some time; by this means the troops will be much refreshed, as well as the horses and cattle, the latter being much wearied and in need of a recess of labor. No appearance of an enemy.
Grand Oglaize, 10th August, 1794. - The troops in good spirits. No interruption from, or account of, the enemy. We have plenty of vegetables. One of our militia officers wounded by his own sentinel by mistake.
Grand Oglaize, 11th August, 1794. - Nothing oc- curs to prevent the completion of our work.
[Here were a few leaves lost out of the manu- script. ]
On the 13th of August, true to the spirit of peace advised by Washington, Gen. Wayne sent Christian Miller, who had been naturalized among the Shaw- nees, as a special messenger to offer terms of friend- ship.
Took up their line of march and at once arrived on this ground withont any occurrence. Our camp is situated in sight of Snaketown, of the Miami of the Lake. Vegetables in abundance.
Camp nineteen miles from Oglaize, 16th August, 1794 .- Our march this day was through a bushy ground, and the road generally bad. Miller (the flag) returned this day from the enemy with information from the tribes, that if the Commander-in-Chief would remain at Grand Oglaize ten days they would let him know whether they would be for peace or war.
Camp thirty-one miles from Camp Oglaize, 17th August, 1794. - This day a small party of the enemy's spies fell in with ours; both parties being for dis- coveries, they retreated, at which time the enemy fired and wounded one of our horses. Our camp, head of the rapids.
Camp forty-one miles from Grand Oglaize, 18th August, 1794 .- The legion arrived on this ground, nothing particular taking place. Five of our spies were sent out at 3 o'clock; they fell in with an ad- vanced body of the enemy, and obliged to retreat; but May, one of our spies, fell under the enemy's hold. What his fate may be must be left to future success.
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Camp Deposit, 19th August, 1794 .- The legion still continued in encampment and are throwing up works to secure and deposit the heavy baggage of the troops, so that the men may be light for action, pro- viding the enemy have presumption to favor us with an interview, which if they should think proper to do, the troops are in such high spirits that we will make an easy victory of them.
By this morning's order the legion is to march at 5 o'clock.
Camp in sight of a British garrison, on the Miami of the Lake, August 20, 1794 .- One hundred and fifty miles from Greenville. This day, the legion, after depositing every kind of baggage, took up the line of march at 7 o'clock, and continued their route down the margin of the river without making any discovery, until 11 o'clock, when the front guard, which was composed of mounted volunteers, were fired on by the enemy. The guard retreated in the utmost confusion through the front guard of the regulars, commanded by Capt. Cook and Lieut. Steele, who, in spite of their utmost exertion, made a retreat. These fell in with the left of Capt. Howell Lewis' company of light in- fantry and threw that part of the men into confusion, which Capt. Lewis observing, he ordered the left of his company to retreat about forty yards, where he formed them and joined the right, which had stood their ground. They continued in this position until they were joined by part of Capt. Springer's battal- ion of riflemen, which was nearly fifteen minutes after the firing commenced, who drove the enemy that had attempted to flank us on the right. Nearly at the same time, the right column came up, and the charge was sounded-the enemy gave way and fired scatter- ing shots as they ran off.
About the time the right column came up, a heavy firing took place on the left, which lasted but a short time, the enemy giving way in all quarters, which left us in possession of their dead to the num- ber of forty. Our loss was thirty killed and 100 wounded. Among the former we have to lament the loss of Capt. MisCampbell of the dragoons, and Lieut. Henry B. Fowles of the Fourth sub-legion; and of the latter, Capts. Prior of the First, Slough of the Fourth, and Van Rensselaer of the dragoons, also Lieut. Campbell Smith of the Fourth sub-legion. The whole loss of the enemy cannot at present be ascertained, but it is more than probable it must have been considerable, for we pursued them with rapidity for nearly two miles. As to the num- ber of the enemy engage'l in this action, opinions are so various that I am at a loss to know what to say. The most general opinion is 1,500, one- third of which are supposed to be Canadians; I am led to believe this number is not over the mark. After the troops
had taken some refreshment, the legion continued their route down the river and encamped in sight of the British garrison. £ One Canadian fell into our hands whom we loaded with irons.
Camp, Foot of the Rapids, 21st August, 1794 .- We are now lying within half a mile of a British gar- rison. A flag came to the Commander-in-Chief, the purport of which was that he, the commanding officer of the British fort, was surprised to see an American army so far advanced in this country; and why they had the assurance to encamp under the mouths of His Majesty's cannons! The Commander-in-Chief an- swered, that the affair of yesterday might well inform him why this army was encamped in its present posi- tion, and had the flying savages taken shelter under the walls of the fort, his Majesty's cannons should not have protected them.
Camp, Foot of the Rapids, 22d August, 1794 .- We have destroyed all the property within 100 yards of the garrison. The volunteers were sent down eight miles below the fort, and have destroyed and burnt all the possessions belonging to the Canadians and savages. The Commander-in-Chief led his light in- fantry within pistol shot of the garrison to find ont the strength and situation of the place. and in hopes of bringing a shot from our inveterate but silent en- emies. They were too cowardly to come up to our expectations, and all we got by insulting the colors of Britain was a flag, the amount of which was, that the commanding officer of the fort felt himself as a soldier much injured by seeing His Majesty's colors insulted, and if such conduct was continued he would be under the necessity of making a proper resent- ment; upon which the Commander-in-Chief demanded the post, it being the right of the United States, which he was refused. A small party of dragoons were sent over the river to burn and destroy all the houses, corn, etc., that were under cover of the fort, which was effected.
Camp Deposit, 23d August, 1794. - Having burned and destroyed everything contiguous to the fort without any opposition, the legion took up the line of march, and in the evening encamped on this ground, being the same they marched from the 20th. It may be proper to remark that we have heard noth- ing from the savages, or their allies, the Canadians, since the action. The honors of war have been paid to the remains of those brave fellows who fell on the 20th, by a discharge of three rounds from sixteen pieces of ordnance, charged with shells. The cere- mony was performed with the greatest ceremony.
Camp Thirty-two Mile Tree, 24th August, 1794. -The wounded being well provided for with car- riages, etc., the legion took up the line of march and halted in their old camp about 2 o'clock in the even-
MRS.& MR. GEO. C. HALL.
RESIDENCE OF GEO. C. HALL, TIFFIN TP., DEFIANCE CO. OHIO.
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
ing without any accident. In this day's march, we destroyed all the corn and burnt all the houses we met with, which were very considerable.
Camp Fifteen Mile Tree, 25th August, 1794 .- The legion continued their march and encamped on this ground at 3 o'clock P. M. This morning a few of the volunteers remained in the rear of the army; and soon after the legion took up the line of march they saw eight Indians coming into our camp; they fell in with them, killed one and wounded two.
Camp Nine Mile Creek, 26th August, 1794 .- The legion continued their march, and after burning and destroying all the houses and corn on their route, ar- rived on this ground at 2 o'clock, being one of our encamping places when on our advance.
All the wounded that were carried on litters and horseback were sent forward to Ft. Defiance. Dr. Car. michael, through neglect, had the wounded men of the artillery and cavalry thrown into wagons, among spades, axes, picks, etc., in consequence of which the wounded are now lying in extreme pain, besides the frequent shocks of a wagon on the worst of roads. The wounded of the Third sub-legion are under obli- gations to Dr. Haywood for his attention and human- ity to them in their distress.
Camp Ft. Defiance, 27th August, 1794 .- The le- gion continued their route, and at 3 o'clock were en- camped on the Miami, one mile above the garrison. On this day's march, we destroyed all the corn and burnt all the houses on our route; the wounded are happily fixed in the garrison, and the doctors say there is no great danger of any of them dying.
Fort Defiance, 28th August, 1794 .- The Com- mander-in-Chief thinks proper to continue on this ground for some time to refresh the troops and send for supplies. There is corn, beans, pumpkins, etc., within "four miles of this place, to furnish the troops three weeks.
General Orders. - The Quartermaster General will issue one gill of whisky to every man belonging to the Federal army this morning, as a small compen- sation for the fatigues they have undergone for sev- eral days past. Maj. General Scott will direct his Quartermasters to attend accordingly with their re- spective returns. The Commander-in- Chief wishes it to be fairly understood that when he mentioned or may mention the Federal army in general orders, that term comprehends and includes the legion and mounted volunteers as one compound army, and that the term legion comprehends the regular troops, agreeable to the organization by the President of the United States, and by which appellation they are known and recognized on all occasions, when acting by themselves, and separate from the mounted volun- teers. As the army will probably remain on this
ground for some time, vaults must be dug and every precaution taken to keep the encampment clean and healthy. The legion will be reviewed the day after to-morrow at 10 o'clock. In the interim, the arms must be clean and varnished and the clothing of the sol- dier repaired and washed, to appear in the most mili- tary condition possible; but in these necessary prep- arations for a review, great caution must be used by the commanding officers of wings, not to permit too many men at one time to take their locks off, or to be engaged in washing.
All the horses belonging to the Quartermaster and contractor's department, in possession of the legion, must be returned this afternoon.
This is the first fair day that we have had since we began to return to this place, it having rained nearly constantly for five days, which was the occasion of fatiguing the troops very much.
Ft. Defiance, 29th August, 1794 .- We are as yet encamped on this ground; all the pack-horses belong- ing to the Quartermaster and contractor's department moved this morning for Ft. Recovery, escorted by Brig. Gen. Todd's brigade of mounted volun- teers, for the purpose of bringing supplies to this place. It is said the legion will continue in their present camp until the return of this escort. Our spies were yesterday twelve miles up this river, and they bring information that the corn-fields continue as far as they were up the river.
Ft. Defiance, 30th August, 1794. - This day at 10 o'clock the Commander-in-Chief began to review the troops at the posts occupied by the different corps, and I am led to believe that he was well pleased at their appearance. Maj. Hughes, Capt. Slough, Capt. Van Rensselaer and Lieut. Younghusband, obtained a furlough to go home to repair their health, being, as they pretended, very much injured by the service.
I believe the two first and the last mentioned, if they never return will not be lamented by the major- ity of the army. The out-guards were much alarmed this morning at the mounted volunteers firing off all their arms without our having any notice.
Headquarters, 31st August, 1794, general orders -A general court martial to consist of five members, will set to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock for the trial of such prisoners as may be brought before them. Maj. Shaylor, President, Lieut. Wade, Judge Advocate.
The disorderly and dangerous practice of permit- ting the soldiery to pass the chain of sentinels, on pretext of going after vegetables, can no longer be suffered. In future, on issuing day, only one man from each mess, properly armed, and commanded by the respective sub-legionary quartermasters, will be sent as a detachment for vegetables, to march at 7 o'clock in the morning.
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
The pack-horses shall forage daily under the pro- tection of a squadron of dragoons; every precaution must be taken to guard against surprise. Any non- commissioned officer or soldier found half a mile without the chain of sentinels, without a pass signed by the commanding officer of wings or sub-legion, or from headquarters, shall be deemed a deserter, and punished accordingly. Every sentinel suffering a non-commissioned officer or private to pass without such written permit, except a party or command, shall receive fifty lashes for each and every violation of this order. A fatigue party of 300 non-commis- sioned officers and privates, with a proportion of com - missioned officers, will parade at 7 o'clock to-morrow morning, furnished with 100 axes, 100 picks and 100 spades and shovels, with arms, commanded by Maj. Burbeck.
A part of this order was iu consequence of three men of the first sub-legion being either killed or taken by the enemy when out a foraging, which was done some time since in a very disorderly manner, at the same time liable to attacks of the enemy, without having it in their power to make the smallest resist- ance.
Fort Defiance, 1st September, 1794 .- This morn- ing the fatigue party ordered yesterday began to fortify and strengthen the fort and make it of suffi- cient strength to be proof against heavy metal; the work now on hand is a glacis with fascines, and a ditch twelve feet wide and eight feet deep; the block- houses are to be made bomb proof.
Fort Defiance, 2d September, 1794. - Every effect- ive man of the light troops in the redoubts round the camp were ordered this morning to make three fas- cines.
The foraging party that went out this day brought in as much corn, dry enough to grate, as will suffice the troops three days. The soldiery gets sick very fast with the fever and ague, and have it severely.
Fort Defiance, 3d September, 1794 .- Nothing but hard fatigues going forward in all quarters. The garrisou begins to put on the appearance of strength, and will in a few days be able to stand the shock of heavy cannon; the troops are very sickly, and I believe the longer we continue in this place the worse it will be.
Fort Defiance, 4th September, 1794 .-- The num- ber of our sick increases daily, provision is nearly exhausted; the whisky has been out for some time, which makes the hours pass heavily to the tune of Roslin Castle, when in our present situation they ought to go to the quickstep of " the merry man down to his grave." Hard duty and scanty allowance will cause an army to be low spirited, particularly the want of a little of the wet.
If it was not for the forage we get from the ene- my's fields, the rations would not suffice to keep soul and body together.
Fort Detiance, 5th September, 1794. - No news of the escort; this day the troops drew no flour; and I fear will shortly draw no beef; however, as long as the issuing of beef continues the troops will not suffer, as there is still corn in abundance on the river.
Fort Defiance, 6th September, 1794. - The work on the garrison goes on with life, and will be com- pleted in a few days. The weather very wet and cold; this morning there is a small frost.
Fort Defiance, 7th September, 1794. - Nothing of consequence took place this day. Our sick are get- ting better.
Fort Defiance, 8th September, 1794 .- This day brings us information of the escort; by express we learn that it will be with us to-morrow. It will be fort- unate for us should provisions arrive, as we have not drawn any flour since the 7th inst .; nevertheless, we have the greatest abundance of vegetables.
Fort Defiance, 9th September, 1794. - The escort has not yet arrived, but will be in to-morrow. Gen. Scott, with the residue, is ordered to march to-morrow morning at reveille. The Commander-in-Chief en- gaged with the volunteers to bring on the flour from Greenville on their own horses, for which they are to receive $3 per hundred, delivered at the Miami vil- lages.
Fort Defiance, 10th September, 1794. - The escort arrived this day about 3 o'clock and brought with them 200 kegs of flour and nearly 200 head of cattle.
Capt. Preston and Ensigns Strother, Bowyer and Lewis, joined us this day with the escort. We received no liquor by this command, and I fancy we shall not receive any until we get into winter quarters, which will make the fatigues of the campaign appear double, as I am persuaded the troops would much rather live on half rations of beef and bread, provided they could get their full rations of whisky. The vegetables are as yet in the greatest abundance. The soldiers of Capt. William Lewis' company are in perfect health, the wounded excepted.
Fort Defiance, 11th September, 1794 .- This day Gen. Barber's brigade of mounted volunteers marched for Ft. Recovery for provisions, to meet us at the Mi- ami villages by the 20th.
Fort Defiance, 12th September, 1794 .- This day the pioneers were ordered to cut the road up the Mi- ami under the direction of the sub-legionary Quarter- master; they are to commence at 7 o'clock to-morrow morning.
Fort Defiance, 13th September, 1794 .- This day a general order was issued, setting forth that the le- gion would march to-morrow morning precisely at 7
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o'clock, every department to prepare themselves ac. cordingly.
The squaw that Wells captured on the 11th Au- gust was this day liberated and sent home. Three soldiers of the First and three of the Third sub-le- gions deserted last night; sixteen volunteers pursued them; they are to receive $20 if they bring them in dead or alive.
Camp Eleven-and-a-half Mile Tree, 14th Septem- ber, 1794. - The legion began their march for the Miami villages at 7 o'clock this morning and encamped on this ground at 3 o'clock, after marching in the rain eight hours.
Camp Twenty-three Mile Tree, 15th September, 1794. - The legion marched at 6 and encamped at 4 o'clock. Capt. Preston, who commanded the light troops in the rear, got lost and lay out from the army all night with a large part of the baggage.
Camp Thirty-three Mile Tree, 16th September, 1794 .- We encamped on this ground at 4 o'clock, after passing over very rough roads and woods thick with brush, the timber very lofty and the land gener- ally rich and well watered.
Camp Miami Villages, 17th September, 1794. - The army halted on this ground at 5 o'clock P. M., be- ing forty-seven miles from Fort Defiance and fourteen from our last encampment; there are nearly five hun- dred acres of cleared land lying in one body on the Rivers St. Joseph, St. Mary's and the Miami; there are fine points of land contiguous to those rivers ad- joining the cleared land. The rivers are navigable for small craft in the summer, and in the winter there is water sufficient for large boats; the land adjacent fertile and well timbered, and from every appearance it has been one of the largest settlements made by the Indians in this country.
Camp Miami Villages, 18th September, 1794 .- This day the Commander-in-Chief reconnoitered the ground and determined on a spot to build the garri- son on. The troops fortified their camps, as they halted too late yesterday to cover themselves. Four deserters from the British came to us this day; they bring information that the Indians are encamped eight miles below the British fort to the number of 1,600.
Camp Miami Villages, 19th September, 1794 .-- This day we hear that Gen. Barber's brigade of mounted volunteers are within twelve miles of this place and will be in early to-morrow with large sup- plies of flour; we have had heavy rains, the wind northwest, and the clouds have the appearance of emp- tying large quantities on this western world.
Camp Miami Villages, 20th September, 1794. - Last night it rained violently, and the wind blew from the northwest harder than I ever knew heretofore.
Gen. Barber with his command arrived in camp about 9 o'clock this morning with 553 kegs of flour, each containing 100 lbs.
Camp Miami Villages, 21st September, 1794. - The Commander-in-Chief reviewed the legion this day at 1 o'clock.
All the Quartermaster's horses set off this morning escorted by the mounted volunteers for Greenville, and are to return the soonest possible; we have not one quart of salt on this ground, which occasions bad and disagreeable living, until the arrival of the next es- cort.
Camp Miami Villages, 22d September, 1794 .- Nothing of consequence took place this day, except that the troops drew no salt with their fresh provis- ions.
Camp Miami Villages, 23d September, 1794 .- Four deserters from the British garrison arrived at our camp; they mention' that the Indians are still embodied on the Miami, nine miles below the British fort; that they are somewhat divided in opinion, some are for peace and others are for war.
Camp Miami Villages, 24th September, 1794. - This day the work commenced on the garrison, which I am apprehensive will take some time to complete it. A keg of whisky containing ten gallons, was pur- chased this day for $80, a sheep for $10; $3 for one pint of salt, but it could not be obtained for less than $6.
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